TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
S3 
a long train of attendants, came to the camp, 
and informed Captain Campbell that Almamy 
sent them to say he had given permission to La- 
mina, in consequence of his being the messen- 
ger of the king of Sego, to conduct us through 
the country by whatever path he chose, and 
had also given directions to Abou Hararata to 
collect carriers for the conveyance of our bag- 
gage. This, however plausible in w^ords, was not 
acted upon, and as nothing could be obtained 
from them but promises which they never in- 
tended performing, with the view of detaining 
us until the state of the country, occasioned 
by the rains, would prevent us moving in any 
direction. Captain Campbell, who was himself 
very ill, came to the decision of retracing his 
steps to the coast, and made known the same to 
Almamy, who sent us word that, although we 
were returning, it was not his desire that we 
should do so, as his country was open to us 
in any way we wished. This was his last effort 
to detain us, but, finding it would not answer, 
he ordered that we should be provided with 
carriers. 
It was not, however, until the 18th of May, 
that a sufficient number were collected, and even 
then, we found so much difficulty in putting 
them to their work, that we were obliged to 
D 
